Review based on a production Canon EOS 50D with firmware version 1.02
Almost exactly a year after the arrival of the EOS 40D, Canon has announced the 50D, which we're assured will be a sister-model, rather than a replacement. Recent history has seen Canon release new models every 18 months-or-so but it's been a busy year with newcomers such as the Nikon D300 getting a lot of attention in the 40D's keen-amateur/professional segment. The 50D is essentially a 40D body wrapped around a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor that finally rectifies the situation in which Canon's XXD range trailed the company's entry-level line, in pixel terms. Canon is claiming that the new sensor's design (new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) mean that despite the higher resolution image noise has improved, something we'll be putting to the test later.
The other big change is the inclusion of a new, high-resolution LCD screen. 920,000 dots mean that it can convey 640 x 480 RGB pixels, making it effectively a VGA standard monitor. Three anti-reflection layers built into the screen do their best to keep it useable in bright conditions, too.
There are various other changes and added features, with many of them stemming from the first appearance of the Canon's Digic 4 processor. The key differences between the 50D and 40D are detailed below.
| Model | Announced |
Effective pixels |
Auto focus |
Continuous (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOS D30 | Apr 2000 | 3.1 mp | 3 point | 3.0 fps, 3 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS D60 | Feb 2002 | 6.3 mp | 3 point | 3.3 fps, 8 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 10D | Feb 2003 | 6.3 mp | 7 point | 3.3 fps, 9 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 20D | Aug 2004 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 fps, 23 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 30D | Feb 2006 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 / 3.0 fps, 30 frames | 2.5" |
| EOS 40D | Aug 2007 | 10.1 mp | 9 point | 6.5 / 3.0 fps, 75 frames | 3.0" Live view |
| EOS 50D | Aug 2008 | 15.1 mp | 9 point | 6.3 / 3.0 fps, 60/90 frames | 3.0" HR Live view |
 Canon EOS 50D  |
 Canon EOS 40D |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 15.0 million effective pixels | • 10.1 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 4752 x 3168 • 3456 x 2304 • 2353 x 1568 |
• 3888 x 2592 • 2816 x 1880 • 1936 x 1288 |
| RAW files | • CR2 format, 14-bit • RAW full resolution • sRAW1 (7.1 MP) • sRAW2 (3.8 MP) |
• CR2 format, 14-bit • RAW full resolution • sRAW (2.5 MP) |
| Image processor | DIGIC 4 | DIGIC III |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 to 3200, extendable to H1 (6400) and H2 (12800). | ISO 100 to 1600, extendable to 3200. |
| Auto ISO | ISO 100 to 1600 | ISO 100 to 800 |
| Noise reduction | Four levels | On/Off |
| Auto lighting optimizer | Four levels | On/Off |
| AF adjustment | • All lenses or up to 20 individual lenses • +/- 20 steps |
No |
| Viewfinder info | Now includes Auto Lighting Optimizer icon | |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 920,000 dots |
• 3.0 " TFT LCD • 230,000 dots |
| Live view AF | • Quick mode (Phase detect) • Live view mode (Contrast detect) • Face detect (Contrast detect) |
Phase detect |
Peripheral illumination |
• Profiles of 26 lenses includes • space provided for 14 extra profiles |
|
| User modes | • Auto • Creative Auto • Program AE (P) • Shutter priority AE (Tv) • Aperture priority AE (Av) • Manual (M) • Auto depth-of-field • Portrait • Landscape • Close-up • Sports • Night portrait • Flash off • Camera user settings 1 • Camera user settings 2 |
• Auto • Program AE (P) • Shutter priority AE (Tv) • Aperture priority AE (Av) • Manual (M) • Auto depth-of-field • Portrait • Landscape • Close-up • Sports • Night portrait • Flash off • Camera user settings 1 • Camera user settings 2 • Camera user settings 3 |
| High-speed continuous | • 6.3 fps • Up to 60 JPEG Large/Fine images • Up to 90 JPEG Large/Fine images (UDMA) |
• 6.5 fps • Up to 75 JPEG Large/Fine images |
| Menu UI | Digic 4 interface | Same as EOS-1D series |
| Connectors | • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • Video out • Mini HDMI connector • N3 type wired remote control • PC Sync flash terminal • Communication terminal on base for WFT-E3/E3A |
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • Video out • N3 type wired remote control • PC Sync flash terminal • Communication terminal on base for WFT-E3/E3A |
| Menu languages | 25 | 18 |
| Custom functions | 25 | 24 |
| Weight | • No battery: 730 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 822 g (1.8 lb) (measured) |
• No battery: 740 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 836 g (1.8 lb) (measured) |
For the first few hours, this review was published using RAW files converted with a "release candidate" version of Adobe Camera Raw 4.6. Adobe then informed us that changes had been made between this release candidate and the final version. We have re-processed all affected files and re-assessed all conclusions based on those original conversions.
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read some of our Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / recommendation / ratings are based on the opinion of the author, we recommend that you read the entire review before making any decision. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of them, click to display a larger image in a new window.
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Dpreview use calibrated monitors at the PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally also A, B and C.
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Canon EOS 50D 15.1 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) | $1,229.99 |
20 Piece All Purpose Kit with Refurbished Canon EOS 50D 15.1 Digital SLR Camera + Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG IF Macro Aspherical Lens + 8 GB Memory Card + Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit + Premier Holster Case + 50" Tripod + 6 Piece Camera Accessory Kit + 3 Year Celltime Warranty Repair Contract | $1,474.95 |
22 Piece All Inclusive Kit with Refurnished Canon EOS 50D 15.1 Digital SLR Camera + Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG IF Macro Aspherical Lens + Rokinon 500mm Lens with 2x Converter (=1000mm) + 8 GB Memory Card + Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit + Premier Holster Case + 50" Tripod + 6 Piece Camera Accessory Kit + 3 Year Celltime Warranty Repair Contract | $1,594.95 |
19 Piece Super Zoom Kit with Refurbished Canon EOS 50D 15.1 Digital SLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM + Rokinon 650-1300mm Lens with 2X Converter (=1300-2600mm) Zoom Lens + 8 GB Memory Card + Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit + Extra High Capacity Li-Ion Battery + Back Pack Case + 57" Tripod + 6 Piece Camera Accessory Kit + 3 Year Celltime Warranty Repair Contract | $1,719.95 |
Canon EOS 50D 15.1 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) | $1,229.99 |
Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only) | $699.00 |
Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens | $799.00 |
Canon EOS 50D 15.1 MP Digital SLR Camera Kit (Black) | $1,700.00 |
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Body Only) | $1,199.00 |
Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, 70D, Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit | $177.77 |
Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF and EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Kit | Too low to display |
Canon EOS 60D Body w/ Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens + Spare Battery + Canon Bag + 64GB SDXC + Tripod + Filter Kit | $1,125.98 |
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